Kris LaVenia

Skills practice and applied learning are foundational to my teaching philosophy. I believe adult learners are capable of achieving their goals when provided with sufficient time, high-quality instruction, meaningful feedback, and repeated opportunities to apply their knowledge in context. My instructional approach centres on presenting evidence-informed content drawn from multiple disciplines—including education, psychology, sociology, and counselling—to support integrative and critical thinking.

In all my courses, I aim to foster students’ appreciation for research, programme evaluation, and the critical examination of what constitutes valid evidence—for example, through expanded definitions of achievement and success. A core goal of my teaching is to create a space that is both intellectually challenging and psychologically safe, enabling students to engage deeply and develop their identities as reflective, ethically minded learners.

The primary foci for my teaching at UC are leadership preparation and workplace emotions.